Large number of Japanese ships sighted off Jolo, Philippines according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 25 February 1942

An item reported the sighting on 20 February of between 80-100 Japanese ships of unspecified type at Jolo, Philippines. On 24 February was at dawn a large Japanese fleet seen in the Macassar Strait latitude 2 degrees South moving to the south. And 180 miles south west of Macassar the same day 1 Japanese cruiser, 7 destroyers, 6 transports and 4 submarines of which fore Allied submarines sunk 1-2 ships. Probaly were these naval forces underway towards Bali, Dutch East Indies or to invade Soembawa. The J.I.C. commented that the force in the Macassar Strait could be part of the one at Jolo. Probably was an attempted early reinforcement of Bali delayed by Allied air attacks. Allied bombers sunk on 24 February 2 of the 7 Japanese transports at Macassar.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. MR0423. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 77 dated 25 February 1942